Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland’s request to the European Commission that a review be conducted of Israel’s compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [20778/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 71 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement at EU level to seek a review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20840/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 118 together.

As the Deputy is aware, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission on 14 February of this year, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel is in breach of its obligations.

This request was followed up at senior official level with the Cabinet of President von der Leyen on 12 March. It was also discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March. While this initiative does not enjoy the support of all EU partners, it remains my firm view that the European Commission should respond in a meaningful manner to the Irish-Spanish request. This was further emphasised by the Taoiseach, Simon Harris, when he met with President von der Leyen on 11 April.

Ireland’s position on the EU-Israel Association Agreement is just one element our efforts to shape EU policy in the context of the current crisis. It is also consistent with our overall approach, which is grounded in respect for international law. The European Union can and should do much more to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel. This will remain a priority for my continuing engagement at EU level. The importance of Ireland’s intensive efforts through bilateral diplomatic channels; coordination with like-minded partners; leadership within the European Union; and our clear and principled voice at the United Nations, are fully understood and appreciated by our Palestinian and international partners.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail his engagements with European counterparts on efforts to increase the level of humanitarian aid into Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20572/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 111 together.

The Tánaiste has engaged actively on Gaza at every Foreign Affairs Council in the last six months. The need for an immediate ceasefire and access for humanitarian assistance have also featured prominently in our regular bilateral contacts with EU partners. Furthermore, there are numerous channels at official level, attended by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through which the EU and member states coordinate and share information on ongoing humanitarian crises such as that in Gaza.

The Tánaiste’s recent visit to the Rafah crossing, on the Egyptian side, highlighted Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian access, which have prevented life-saving aid from reaching people in Gaza. We are extremely concerned by reports that Israel has begun large-scale military strikes in Rafah and that the current Israeli military operation has resulted in the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt being closed.

The protection of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law and the international community has made it very clear that an Israeli military operation in Rafah will inevitably lead to disastrous humanitarian consequences and the deaths of large numbers of innocent civilians. We also condemn the Hamas attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers. This has resulted in the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is vital for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Ireland’s response to the crisis has included the provision of in-kind assistance in addition to significant humanitarian funding. We have provided €40 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the suffering caused by the conflict in Gaza since last October. This includes €20 million provided in February in immediate core funding for 2024 for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA is mandated to provide life-saving essential services for 5.7 million Palestinian refugees, across the region. We have also supported other agencies which have the experience and capacity to deliver assistance, to the extent possible in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Ireland is also using our well-established partnership with the UN Humanitarian Response Depot to deliver aid supplies to Gaza. As this involves humanitarian supplies which we have already pre-positioned in the region, there has been no requirement for the use of airdrops. Under Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative, family tents and tarpaulins from Irish stocks worth approximately €250,000 were distributed in Rafah in December. An additional consignment worth approximately €300,000 is currently in Amman, awaiting entry to Gaza.

Ireland is open to considering the option of airdrops of humanitarian assistance and this featured in discussions during the Tánaiste's recent visit to Jordan. Our Embassy in Amman is maintaining contact with the relevant authorities on the possibility of providing food supplies for future airdrops. However, we are agreed that such initiatives must not distract from the urgent need to dramatically scale up the level of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza.